Vintage toy collection goes under the hammer

Laurie Stone Wisdom and her late husband collected vintage toys for more than 30 years

A couple's treasured collection of vintage toys and models is to be auctioned.

Folk artist Laurie Stone Wisdom, whose husband Hugh died from Covid three years ago, will donate the money raised from the sales to the RNLI.

The couple, from Hastings, East Sussex, had collected model planes and toy cars, some from the 1930s, for more than 30 years.

Ms Stone Wisdom’s friend, Olga Mamonova, artistic director of the Kino-Teatr venue in St Leonards, will host the auction from 14:00 BST on Wednesday.

The collection includes treasured items such as a rare Meccano model car from the 1930s

Ms Mamonova, who runs the independent cinema and music venue with her partner Russell Baker, said: "We were all brought together through our love of vintage toys and models.

"It's a huge part of her life - they were their treasures.

"So of course there is sentimental value, but she feels they are too interesting to be locked in the house. It's time to move on."

A painting of Hugh is being included in the auction

The auction prices were "reasonable, affordable", she said, but added they hoped a generous donation would be made to the RNLI on its 200th anniversary.

"There is quite a lot of local interest, as well as people who have contacted us from London, Brighton, and from Leeds. There will some online bidding of course."

As a former 1930s cinema, the venue and the items in the auction should "bring a bit of history and bring out the child in everyone," she added.